Luciano Spalletti has admitted Juventus are monitoring Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, though he did not confirm whether the Argentine international will join the club this summer.
He said via Sky Sports, “Dibu Martinez? He’s a goalkeeper who wants to change clubs, and we’re looking for competitiveness. But we currently have two [keepers].”
Martinez has been heavily linked with a move away from Aston Villa in recent weeks, with Juventus emerging as one of the clubs most interested in securing the experienced goalkeeper. The Serie A giants are believed to be assessing their options between the posts ahead of the new campaign.
Spalletti acknowledged Martinez’s situation while making it clear that Juventus are seeking greater competition in the goalkeeping department. The former Napoli boss suggested that Martinez is open to a change of clubs, although he stressed that Juventus already have goalkeepers in the squad and stopped short of guaranteeing a deal would be completed.
The comments are likely to intensify speculation surrounding the Aston Villa star, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished goalkeepers since joining the Birmingham club from Arsenal in a £17 million deal in 2020. Martinez has been a key figure for both club and country, helping Argentina lift the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Can Juventus sign Martinez?
Despite Juventus’s interest, completing a deal could prove far from straightforward. Martinez remains under contract with Aston Villa until 2029, placing the Premier League side in a strong negotiating position. Reports from Italy have indicated that Villa value the goalkeeper at around €10 million, while Juventus are attempting to keep any potential transfer within their financial limits.
For Aston Villa, Martinez’s future is becoming one of the major storylines of the transfer window. The 33-year-old has been an influential presence at Villa Park for several seasons, producing numerous match-winning performances and playing a significant role in the club’s recent progress under Unai Emery.
Whether Juventus can convince Villa to sanction a sale remains to be seen. Financial negotiations are expected to determine whether the Italian club can turn their interest into a formal agreement, while Aston Villa will weigh the benefits of retaining one of their most experienced players against any acceptable offer that may arrive.
